Home / News & Blog / White Fused Alumina Price Trend Report – May Overview & Outlook
In May, the white fused alumina (WFA) market experienced a notable price shift, moving from early-month softness to a sharp rebound in the latter half. This trend reflects both upstream cost pressures and supply-side constraints that directly impact procurement strategies for manufacturers and distributors relying on high-grade alumina materials.
Throughout the first half of May, the WFA market remained under pressure. Soft downstream demand—especially from abrasive and refractory sectors—kept buyers cautious. Most purchasing activity was based on immediate needs, and this limited market liquidity. As a result, benchmark prices declined by approximately RMB 100/ton, reflecting a buyer’s market environment.
Despite stable operating rates at major WFA production facilities, the excess supply continued to weigh on market sentiment. Many producers were still running at high capacity due to earlier stockpiling of raw materials, further intensifying competition.
In the second half of the month, the trend reversed sharply. The price of industrial alumina—WFA’s core raw material—surged by over RMB 300/ton, driven by both domestic production cuts and international uncertainty, particularly policy-related instability in Guinea, a key global bauxite source.
At the same time, WFA producers in regions such as Zhengzhou and Sanmenxia were forced to curtail or halt production due to raw material shortages and rising input costs. This sudden contraction in supply created upward pressure on prices. By the end of May, WFA prices had rebounded by RMB 300/ton, resulting in a net monthly increase of around RMB 200/ton.
As of late May, the mainstream price for WFA grain (segment sand) in the Chinese domestic market is hovering between RMB 4,650–4,750/ton, depending on grain size, quality consistency, and delivery terms.
For abrasive manufacturers and buyers, these developments highlight three critical considerations:
Raw Material Volatility: The price of industrial alumina continues to trend upward, and any additional tightening in bauxite or alumina supply chains may push costs even higher.
Supply Chain Disruption: Factory shutdowns in key regions are reducing available WFA output, which may lead to delays or shortages in Q3.
Pricing Power Shifting Back to Sellers: After months of downward pressure, WFA producers are regaining pricing leverage due to improved cost support and reduced inventories.
Looking ahead, further price increases cannot be ruled out, particularly if the industrial alumina rally continues and downstream demand recovers marginally. However, market momentum will also depend on how quickly production resumes and whether global macro conditions (e.g., logistics, energy prices) stabilize.
Now is a critical time to review supplier reliability, evaluate stock levels, and lock in procurement plans strategically. Flexibility in sourcing and a strong focus on product quality—especially given emerging concerns over impurity levels in lower-cost materials—will help safeguard production stability.
If you’re looking for consistent, high-purity white fused alumina with guaranteed delivery schedules, feel free to reach out to DOMILL for tailored bulk supply solutions.
